Colquitt Regional Medical Center recently opened a new inpatient dialysis unit that will allow it to better serve patients who require dialysis services while hospitalized. Pictured, from left, are Megan Long, MSN, RN, CNN, director of dialysis services; Dr. Raul G. Santos; Dr. Daryl O. Crenshaw, dialysis medical director; Dr. Justin Lee Loy; and Greg K. Johnson, FACHE, vice president of operations.

MOULTRIE, Ga. – Colquitt Regional recently opened a new inpatient dialysis unit that will allow it to better serve patients who require dialysis services while hospitalized.

This new unit will be used specifically for patients who suffer from chronic or acute kidney failure and need hemodialysis. This is a process where blood moves through a filter to remove any waste or extra fluid and returns to the body.

“Having this new unit will positively impact the patient experience by centralizing acute care and eliminating the need to travel outside the hospital to receive dialysis services,” said Colquitt Regional President and CEO Jim Matney. “There is also a two-to-one patient-to-nurse ratio ensuring that each patient receives the highest quality of care and attention.”

Located on the third floor of Colquitt Regional, the unit contains five separate treatment bays, allowing up to 10 patients to receive care at one time. Typical treatments run anywhere from two to four hours, depending on need.

“We have recently seen an influx of patients who are in need of dialysis services,” said Hospital Authority Chairman Maureen A. Yearta, Ed.D. “Through additions such as the inpatient dialysis unit, we are prioritizing the needs of our patients and extending our service line to better serve the people in our region.”

The new inpatient dialysis unit is a branch of Colquitt Regional Dialysis, which has four nephrologists on staff: Dr. W. Merrill Hicks Jr., Dr. Raul G. Santos, Dr. Justin Lee Loy and Dr. Daryl O. Crenshaw, who serves as the dialysis medical director.

The unit at Colquitt Regional is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a nurse on call at all times. For more information, contact Megan Long, MSN, RN, CNN, Director of Dialysis Services at 229-891-9333 or visit colquittregional.com.